Apparatus for testing oil wells



Dec. 31, 1940. T. B. LOSEY, JR 2,227,192

APPARATUS FOR TESTING OIL WELLS Filed Feb. 15, 1938 1 124.1 Ii r'.2

Patented Dec. 31, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for testing for oil, water, salt water, gas or cement shutofis on casings.

An object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus for testing oil wells which is so constructed that a pair of valves including a sleeve valve are adapted to control communication between the string of pipe and the oil to be tested with one of the valves being operated by the sleeve valve and in accordance with the vertical movement of the string of pipe, cooperating means being employed for maintaining the valves closed until the string is rotated to permit the sleeve valve to move into contact with an operatin stem of the other valve.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus for obtaining tests from wells in which a poppet valve is operated by a sleeve valve, the sleeve valve being so constructed and arranged that said sleeve valve gives a positive closure at all times.

A further object of the invention is the pro- Vision of an apparatus for testing wells in which a pressure piston is employed with the hydrostatic head of the drilling fluid acting on said piston for overbalancing the normal tendency of the closed tester case to fioat upwardly on a mandrel included in the apparatus, thus permitting the tool to be run into the hole without opening the valves. Therefore the weight necessary to push the mandrel down against the differential pressure is proportional to the amount of pipe in the hole at any particular depth.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus for testing wells in which is included a pressure piston and a mandrel having integrally formed cams which will look a sleeve valve against complete displacement and thus prevent accidental opening of a pipe line within the well.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus for testing oil wells in which cams are employed for preventing accidental operation of a sleeve valve, the cams being formed integrally with a piston adapted to be restrained or controlled by a pressure differential between the hydrostatic head of the drilling fluid and the atmospheric pressure in a pipe line in which the piston is operated, the sleeve valve being carried by the piston and being moved to an open or closed position by the reciprocation of said piston.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus for testing oil wells which has a pressure piston with conduits in the barrel of the piston cylinder for continuously supplying a hydrostatic head of the drilling fluid to the bottom of the piston, said piston having a passageway for applying low pressure down to atmospheric from the inside of the string of pipe to above the piston. Test strings are not always run completely empty as a short cushioning column of water is sometimes run.

This invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description, in view of the accompanying drawing forming a part of the specification; nevertheless, it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the disclosure, being susceptible of such changes and modifications as define no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of my tester shown with a rat hole packer seated on a shoulder within a well, and

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the tester shown in Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, 2 indicates the lower end of a string of pipe which is connected to a main mandrel 5 by threads 4 and a sleeve 3. This mandrel is provided with a longitudinal passage 6. The string of pipe extends upwardly and is of the well known type used in well holes I.

A wiper ring 1 is mounted in an angular groove formed at the inner periphery of a packing gland nut 8 and embraces the man-drel 5. This nut is also provided with an annular chamber 9 embracing the mandrel '5 and is adapted to be packed with grease or other material for lubrieating the outer wall of said mandrel.

A sleeve H embraces the mandrel 5 below the nut 8 and has threaded connection at 9 with the nut. This sleeve below the lower end of the nut is provided with an annular channel around the outer wall of the mandrel 5 and receives a packing I which is in close contact with said mandrel.

The mandrel is provided with an enlargement forming a piston which is received within the sleeve II and the inner diameter of the sleeve at this point is enlarged to receive said piston. This enlarged chamber in the sleeve II forms a shoulder which is adapted to be abutted by the upper bracing the piston 5 and this channel is adapted.

to be packed with grease which is forced through a threaded opening in the side wall of the sleeve I l and normally closed by a plug I 4.

The piston per seis provided with a plurality of cam slots l3 formed in the side walls thereof and these slots are of such a configuration that the portion l3 forms cams which are adapted to receive pins l5 which are screwed into openings I5 in the side walls of the sleeve Ii. The inner ends of these pins project into an enlarged portion |5 of the slots so that they may be engaged beneath the portions 13' for a purpose which will be presently explained. These slots have a restricted vertical portion opening above the piston 5'.

Below the slots I3 in the piston 5 said-piston is reduced in diameter and the packing I6 embraces the reduced portion of the piston and is located between the reduced portion and a liner I'I received by the inner wall of the sleeve II. This liner is held in place between a shoulder ll on the sleeve II and by the upper end of a threaded nipple 22 which is screwed into the lower internally threaded end of the sleeve I I.-.

A disc I8 is mounted at the lower end of the reduced portion I6 of the piston 5" and is held in place by a shoulder on the upper end of a sleeve valve I9 which is threaded into the lower reduced portion I6 of the piston 5 Thus, it will be seen that the disc I8 which is in sliding contact with the liner I1 is moved directly with the piston 5 and since this disc holds a packing It in position said. packing is likewise moved withthe piston.

The mandrelj is provided with radial passages I2 which supply the lower pressure in the passage 6 to the upper side of the upper end of the pressure piston 5 This pressure is contained in the region covered by the packing I6 less the region carried by the packing Ill. The nipple 22* has an annular enlargement intermediate its ends to form a pair of oppositely disposed shoulders with the upper shoulder engaging the lower end of the sleeve II when the nipple is screwed into position on said sleeve. The nipple 22 is provided with radial passages 26 and the inner ends of these passages are in communication with vertically disposed passages 23 which lead from the exterior of the nipple 22 and likewise the sleeve II to a chamber 31 formed by the liner ii, the disc I8 and the upper end of the nipple 22.. When a test is to be made the mandrel 5 is rotated until the pins I5 are in alinement with the vertical portions of the slots I4 and the piston 5a will descend. The fluid pressure from the exterior of the sleeve I I acting on the disc I8 through the passages 23 and 24 will cushion the descent of the piston as is evident.

A passage 33 formed longitudinally of the sleeve valve I9 extends from the extreme lower end of the valve to the upper end and is in communication with the longitudinal passage 5 in the mandrel 5.

A nut 20 embraces the sleeve valve I9 and is threaded into the upper end of the nipple 22 and compresses a packing 2| positioned in an annu-' lar pocket or chamber in the nipple and embracing the sleeve valve.

A packing 25 is also positioned in an annular pocket in the nipple 22 and adjacent the lower end of the sleeve valve I9 when said valve is in closed position. This-packing is held in place by a packing gland ring 21 which is threaded into the lower end of the nipple.

plug 26 is positioned in the passage 36 in the lower end of the sleeve valve I9 but may be forced out when desired by applying suiflcient pressure within the sleeve valve I9 when said valve is in closed position as shown in Fig. 2. The sleeve valve is provided with'a plurality of radial passages 23a which are adapted to place the lon- A valve stem 30 is slidably mounted in a valve body 3| atthe central axis of said body and carries a valve 30a at its lower end adapted to close 'high pressure in a well.

' in the valve body 3|.

a chamber 32a in the lower section 32 which is normally in communication with the fluids under A spring 29 has one end resting upon the top of the valve body 3| while the opposite end engages a nut 28 on the upper end of the stem 30 whereby the valve 30a will be urged on its seat to close the passages 34 These passages when the valve 30a is open connect the chamber 320 with the chamber 35. It will be noted that when the lower end of the sleeve valve I9 is lowered sumciently it will engage the nut 28 at the upper end of the valve stem 30 and force the nut and valve stem downwardly for opening the valve 3!! to allow fluid from the chamber 32' to pass upwardly through the passages 34 and thence through the passage 36 into the passage 6 in the mandrel 5.

The lower end of the section 32 is provided with threads 33 to receive any type of pack ofr. Fig. 1 illustrates my tool with rat-hole pack-off 38. A perforated tube 39 descends below the packer element and has its lower end closed so that the test fluids or gases entering the testing apparatus will in eflect be screened.

Figure 1 illustrates the rat hole type pack-off. The tool, however, may be run with any type of pack-off such as a casing, open hole, cone packer or a combination.

The operation of my device is as follows: High pressure fluid from the lower part 40 of the well will enter the perforated tube 39 and pass into the high pressure chamber 320, below the poppet valve assembly 30a and 3!. The valve 30a being on its seat by reason of the spring 29 together with the fluid pressure on valve head 30a will prevent the fluid .from entering the low pressure chamber 35, the chamber 21a and the passage 35 in the sleeve I9 after the apparatus has been let down into the well by means of a string of pipe 2 and the packer 38 seals the lower portion or the well below the packer from that portion of the well above the packer. Before the apparatus is placed in the well the mandrel 5 is so positioned with respect to the upper sleeve section it that the pins I5 will be engaged beneath the cam members i3a. These pins and likewise the cam members are spaced approximately apart but there may be two or more cooperating pins and cams. Until the apparatus reaches the position when the packer 38 seals the rat hole of the well the sleeve valve I9 will be maintained in the position shown in Fig. 2 and the pins engaging the cams I3a will prevent downward movement ,of the mandrel 5, the piston 5a and the sleeve valve I9 so that the passages 23a will be closed since that portion of the wall of the sleeve valve in which the passages are formed is in contact with the inner walls of the member 22a. The plug 26 is maintained in position at the lower end of the passage 36.

When it is desired to obtain a test it is only necessary to relieve part of the weight from the cam ledge I3a resting on the plus I 5 and to rotate the mandrel 5 through a predetermined arc whence the pins I5 will move to the vertical portions of the cam slots I3 whereby the mandrel 5 will be released and it will move downwardly carrying the sleeve I 9 downwardly whereby the passages 23a will be open to the chamber 21a.

After the sleeve valve I9 is opened the bottom of said valve will move into engagement with the nut 28 on the stem 30 and force the valve 30a off its seat at the underface of the valve body 3i. Fluid in the high pressure chamber 321: will enter atmospheric) will be maintained in the chamber 21a and likewise the chamber 35 so that when the high pressure fluid enters these chambers when the valve Illa is opened the high pressure fluid will readily rise in the passage 38 in the valve l9 and enter the central passage in th string of pipe 2.

The tester is run into the hole on a string of pipe until the packer 38 reaches its seat and suiflcient weight is placed on the packer to maintain it firmly on its seat. In applying weight on the packer, the mandrel B is moved downwardly until the safety catches at the underface of the cams Ila engage the pins IE but the cams prevent the mandrel from opening the valve l9 and likewise the poppet valve No. When the parts are in the position placing the high pressure chamber 32a in communication with the passage in the string of pipe 2 the well will flow until the pressures are equalized or the tool is picked up and v closed.

Raising of the drill stem or tubing allows the mandrel, piston and sleeve valve rod to come up and rotate into their uppermost position, so that the spring 29 may close the poppet valve 30a first, and then the sleeve valve 1 9. When it is assured that the tool is closed the packer 38 may then be pulled loose and the assembly withdrawn, thereby bringing up an uncontaminated sample from the formation tested.

During the movement of the mandrel assembly downwardly, forces are more or less balanced by the head of the fluid in the hole acting through ports 24, passages 23 and the chamber 31 under the disc l8 which forms the bottom of the piston 5a. Moving the piston downwardly forces the drilling fluid back through these ports to cushion the travel of the piston and likewise the mandrel which is formed integrally with the piston. Thus it will be seen that a sudden dropping of the drill stem when the packer is stuck or reaches its seat does not throw all of the load on the pins IS. The upward movement is cushioned by a reversal of these operations. It will be seen that a hydrostatic head is maintained through the middle of the device under the piston So while the low pressure acts above the piston and deviates the forces in a manner to counteract the normal tendency of the closed sleeve tester to be forced upwardly upon the drill stem mandrel and thus be incapable of sliding up and down within the sleeve l1. It will be seen that the tool may be balanced in this manner or overbalanced to hold down the housing which is formed by the sleeves H and 32 and in ractice this case is held down in relation to the mandrel. The degree of overbalancing accomplished by this arrangement removes part of the drill stem load from the pin i5 which can be computed by multiplying the differential area by the pressure head.

It will also be seen that the cam grooves iii are formed in an enlargement of the mandrel 5 which constitutes the piston 5a. This piston is thoroughly lubricated by lubricant which is stored in the annular chamber I4 and which has been forced from the chamber by the inward movement of the plug Ma.

The member 26 is pressed into the lower end of the sleeve valve I8 for frictional engagement with the countersunk pocket formed at the lower end of the passage 36 and the member" may be forced from this position when desired. A circulation may be maintained downwardly when the plug 2! is pumped out or the tool is opened.

The three main packings l0, lie and 2| have the same differential pressure across them at all times.

The testing tool assembly composed of the tool proper, a pack-ofl, consisting of casing packer,

' open hole packer or cone packer, or combination of these packers with a section of perforation is run in the hole on successive stands of drill pipe or tubing. When the pack-off is at the desired depth it is tripped or seated and the tool opened. A blowing noise coming through the drill stem or tubing indicates fluid or gas coming in through the tool below. Should the drilling fluid recede the tool should be raised and then closed as this indicates the packer is not holding. It must be borne in mind that when this tester is placed in the hole with an empty string that atmospheric pressure is placed on the formation to be tested by the various instrumentalities described above.

drel and piston attachable to the string and slidable in the body, a push rod connected to the piston and including a sleeve valve closed at its lower end, a spring-pressed poppet valve in the body and engaged by the rod to open said poppet valve when the piston descends, the sleeve valve having ports normally closed by the body but opened when the piston descends, and releasable cooperating means on the body and piston engageable for retaining the piston and valve against movement to maintain the sleeve valve closed, said cooperating means being releasable to permit movement of the combined mandrel and piston to open the sleeve valve and poppet valve. M

2. An apparatus for testing a well hole and adapted for attachment to a string of pipe comprising a hollow body, a combined mandrel and piston slidable in the body, a push rod connected to the piston and including a sleeve valve, a spring-pressed poppet valve in the body and engaged by the rod to open said poppet valve when the piston descends, the sleeve valve having ports normally closed by the body but opened when the piston descends, and releasable cooperating means on the body and piston engageable for retaining the piston and valve against movement to maintain the sleeve valve closed, said cooperating means being releasable to permit movement of the combined mandrel and piston to open the sleeve valve and poppet valve, the body having a chamber below the piston and passages connecting the chamber with high pressure fluid externally of the body.

3. An apparatus for testing a Well hole and adapted for attachment to a string of pipe comprising a hollow body, a combined mandrel and piston slidable in the body, a push rod connected to the piston and including a sleeve valve, 2. spring-pressed poppet valve in the body and engaged by the rod to open said poppet valve when the piston descends, the sleeve valve having ports normally closed by the body but opened when the piston descends, and releasable cooperating means on the body and piston engageable for retaining the piston and valve against movement to maintain the sleeve valve closed, said cooperating means being releasable to permit movement oi. the combined mandrel and piston to open the sleeve valve and Poppet valve, the body having a chamber above the piston in communication with i the string of pipe, the sleeve valve being in communication with the string of pipe and adapted to place said chamber in communication with the string of pipe when the sleeve valve is opened.

4. An apparatus for testing a well hole and adapted for attachment to a string of pipe, comprising a hollow body, a hollow mandrel reciprocally mounted within the body, a sleeve valve closed at its lower end and carried by the mandrel, a normally closed poppet valve in the body and actuatable by the sleeve valve to open position, cooperating means between the body and mandrel for retaining said mandrel and sleeve valve against reciprocating movement to prevent opening of said sleeve valve, said cooperating means being releasable to permit movement of the mandrel and sleeve valve to open said valve while permitting the mandrel to be lowered sufficiently to cause the sleeve valve to open the poppet valve, said sleeve valve having closable and. operable ports for relieving pressure on the oil to be tested so that the oil will flow through the string of pipe.

5. An apparatus for testing a well hole and adapted for attachment to a string of pipe comprising a hollow body, a hollow mandrel mounted for reciprocation within the body, a sleeve valve closed at its lower end and carried by the mandrel for placing the lower end of the body in communication with atmospheric pressure but normally maintaining the mandrel closed, a normally closed poppet valve in the lower end of the body and actuatable by the sleeve valve to open position, means for retainingsaid mandrel and sleeve valve against reciprocating movement to prevent opening of the poppet valve, said retaining means being releasable to permit the mandrel and sleeve valve to move downwardly sufliciently to open said poppet valve, the body being provided with a chamber between the valves, the sleeve valve being in open communication with the hollow mandrel, said sleeve valve having closable and openable ports for placing said chamber in communication with the hollow mandrel.

6. An apparatus for testing a well hole and adapted for attachment to a string of pipe comprising a hollow body, a hollow mandrel mounted for reciprocation within the body, a piston connected to the mandrel and provided with cams, pins on the body cooperating with the cams for retaining the mandrel and piston in a predetermined elevated position in the body, a valve carried by the piston and provided with closable and openable ports, a sleeve embracing the valve when it is in uppermost position and adapted to close the ports, a poppet valve and cage dividing the lower part of the body into high and low compression chambers, release of the cams from the pins permitting said first valve to be moved by the piston to open the second valve and to place the low compression chamber in communication with thestring 01' pipe.

7. An apparatus for testing a well hole and adapted for attachment to a string of pipe comprising a hollow body, a hollow mandrel mounted for reciprocation within the body, a piston connected to the mandrel and provided with cams,

pins permitting said first valve to bemoved by the piston to Open the second valve, said body being provided with passages for directing fluid under pressure beneath the piston.

8. An apparatus for testing a well hole and adapted for attachment to a string of pipe, comprising a hollow body, a hollow mandrel reciprocally mounted within the body, a sleeve valve carried by the mandrel, a normally closed valve in the body and actuatable by the sleeve valve to open position cooperating means between the body and mandrel for retaining said mandrel and sleeve valve against reciprocating movement to prevent opening of the second valve, said retaining means being releasable to permit the mandrel and sleeve valve to be lowered sufliciently to cause the sleeve valve to open the second valve, said sleeve having closable and openable ports for relieving pressure on the oil to be tested so that the oil will flow through the string of pipe, the sleeve valve having the lower end open, a plug closing said end and adapted to be pumped out when desired.

9. An apparatus for testing a well hole and adapted for attachment to a string of pipe, comprising a hollow body, a hollow mandrel reciprocally mounted within the body, a sleeve valve carried by the mandrel and opening into the string of pipe, a normally closed valve in the body and actuatable-by the sleeve valve to open position, cooperating means between the body and mandrel for retaining the mandrel andsleeve valve against movement to prevent opening of the said valve, said retaining means being releasable to permit the mandrel and sleeve valve to be lowered to cause the sleeve valve to open the second valve, said sleeve having closable and openable ports for relieving pressure on the oil to be tested so that the oil will flow through the string of pipe, and means for cushioning the movement of the mandrel.

10. An apparatus for testing a well hole and adapted for attachment to a string of pipe, comprising a body, a hollow mandrel reciprocally mounted within the body, a sleeve valve carried by the mandrel and opening into the string of pipe, a normally closed valve in the body and actuatable by the sleeve valve to open position,

cooperating means between the body and man- I drel for retaining the mandrel and sleeve valve against movement to prevent opening of the second valve, said retaining means being releasable to permit the mandrel and sleeve valve to be lowered to cause the sleeve valve to open the second valve, said sleeve having closable and openable ports for relieving pressure on the oil to be tested so that the oil will flow through the string of pipe, 9. piston connected to the mandrel, and means for creating diflerent pressures on the piston for cushioning the piston and mandrel during vertical movement.

THOMAS B. LOSEY, Jr. 

